21st Century Digital Government Strategy

03.23.12 – The Federal Chief Information Officer has released the report “Digital Government: Building a 21st Century Platform to Better Serve the American People” outlining a strategy for government agencies to better deliver digital services.  The strategy outlines three “layers” that are included in providing digital services including the information layer, the information provided to consumers; the platform layer, including the “systems and processes used to manage” the information; and the presentation layer, how the information is displayed to the consumers.  The strategy further highlights how each layer can be utilized to enable government agencies, and sometimes public and private sector agencies, to coordinate and effectively utilize digital services.  Some Strategy goals include making policies for the use of open data, content and web application programming interfaces (API), establishing a Digital Services Innovation Center and Advisory Group, creating an inventory of current agency mobile devices and services and streamlining future purchases, and creating mobile versions of “at least two priority customer-facing services within the next 12 months.” Of the strategy, President Obama stated, “Ultimately, this Strategy will ensure that agencies use emerging technologies to serve the public as effectively as possible. As a Government, and as a trusted provider of services, we must never forget who our customers are -- the American people.”  As per the requirements of the Strategy, each government agency is required to make public their progress in implementing the requirements of the Strategy.  [Source: The White House]